How to Ship from the US to Turkey: Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction

Shipping from the United States to Turkey connects two major economies separated by roughly 6,000 miles. Turkey sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, serving as a critical trade hub with a population exceeding 85 million people. Whether you are sending personal packages to family, fulfilling e-commerce orders, or managing business shipments, understanding the nuances of US-to-Turkey shipping is essential for keeping costs down and avoiding customs delays.

Turkey's customs system is notoriously complex, with multiple layers of duties, taxes, and regulatory oversight managed by the Turkish Ministry of Trade. The country applies both customs duties and a value-added tax (KDV) on most imports, and certain product categories face additional special consumption taxes. This guide walks you through every step of shipping to Turkey, from choosing the right carrier to navigating customs declarations and saving money on your shipments.

The Turkish e-commerce market has grown rapidly, with cross-border purchases from the US increasing year over year. However, regulatory changes in recent years have tightened import rules, particularly for commercial shipments and goods purchased online. Understanding these regulations before you ship will save you significant time, money, and frustration.

Best Carriers for Shipping to Turkey

USPS (United States Postal Service)

USPS remains one of the most affordable options for shipping to Turkey, especially for packages under 4 pounds. Priority Mail International typically delivers in 6 to 10 business days, while First-Class Package International Service handles items under 4.4 pounds at lower rates with delivery in 7 to 21 business days. USPS Priority Mail Express International offers the fastest delivery at 3 to 5 business days with tracking and insurance included.

Once packages arrive in Turkey, USPS hands off to PTT (Posta ve Telgraf Teskilati), the Turkish postal service. PTT manages last-mile delivery and customs processing on the Turkish side. Customs clearance through PTT can take an additional 3 to 7 business days depending on package contents and declared value.

UPS

UPS operates extensive infrastructure in Turkey with direct flights and a strong ground network. UPS Worldwide Express delivers in 1 to 3 business days, making it ideal for time-sensitive shipments. UPS Worldwide Saver offers 1 to 3 day delivery at slightly lower rates, while UPS Worldwide Expedited provides 3 to 5 business day delivery for less urgent packages.

UPS handles customs brokerage in Turkey, which can simplify the import process significantly. Their customs brokerage team in Istanbul manages documentation and duty payment on behalf of the receiver, reducing the risk of delays.

FedEx

FedEx International Priority delivers to major Turkish cities in 2 to 4 business days, with International Economy offering 4 to 6 business day transit times at reduced rates. FedEx operates a hub in Istanbul and provides comprehensive tracking throughout the shipping journey. FedEx International Ground is not available to Turkey, so express services are your only FedEx options.

DHL Express

DHL has an exceptionally strong presence in Turkey and often provides the most reliable delivery times. DHL Express Worldwide delivers in 2 to 4 business days with full door-to-door tracking. DHL is particularly effective for commercial shipments and offers a dedicated customs brokerage team in Turkey that handles complex import procedures.

Shipping Costs and Transit Times

Shipping costs to Turkey vary significantly based on carrier, service level, package weight, and dimensions. Here are realistic rate ranges for a 5-pound package shipped from the US East Coast to Istanbul:

These are retail rates. Using a shipping platform like atoship, you can access discounted commercial rates that save up to 89% off retail pricing. Volumetric weight (dimensional weight) is calculated by multiplying length x width x height in inches and dividing by 139 for most carriers. The billable weight is whichever is greater: actual weight or dimensional weight.

Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations

Turkey's customs system is one of the more complex in the region, and understanding it thoroughly is critical to avoiding unexpected charges and delays.

De Minimis Threshold

Turkey has a de minimis threshold of 150 euros (approximately $165 USD) for goods imported via postal channels. Packages valued below this threshold are generally exempt from customs duties but may still be subject to KDV (value-added tax) at 20%. However, enforcement of this threshold has tightened significantly, and Turkish customs authorities now inspect a higher percentage of incoming packages.

For commercial shipments and goods purchased through e-commerce platforms, Turkey applies duties and taxes from the first euro of declared value, with no de minimis exemption for commercial imports.

Customs Duties

Turkey applies customs duties based on the Harmonized System (HS) code classification of goods. Duty rates vary widely:

Value-Added Tax (KDV)

Turkey applies KDV on all imports at a standard rate of 20%, calculated on the CIF value (cost of goods + insurance + freight) plus any customs duties. Some essential goods like books, food staples, and medical supplies carry reduced KDV rates of 1% or 10%.

Special Consumption Tax (OTV)

Certain product categories face an additional Special Consumption Tax. This applies to electronics, luxury goods, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and motor vehicles. OTV rates can range from 6.7% to over 100% depending on the product.

Required Documentation

Every shipment to Turkey requires a commercial invoice (or customs declaration form for personal shipments) that includes the sender and receiver full names and addresses, detailed description of contents in both English and Turkish if possible, HS tariff code for each item, declared value per item and total, country of origin, and the purpose of shipment. Packages missing proper documentation will be held at customs until paperwork is completed, which can add 1 to 3 weeks of delay.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Turkey prohibits the import of the following items: narcotics and controlled substances, weapons and ammunition without proper permits, counterfeit goods and items infringing intellectual property rights, soil and live plants without phytosanitary certificates, certain agricultural products without inspection certificates, pornographic materials, and items deemed offensive to Turkish cultural or religious values.

Restricted items that require special permits or licenses include pharmaceutical products requiring Turkish Ministry of Health approval, food supplements requiring Turkish Food Safety Authority clearance, telecommunications equipment needing Information and Communication Technologies Authority certification, cosmetics requiring Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency notification, and drones and unmanned aerial vehicles requiring civil aviation approval.

Tobacco products and alcohol face extremely high duties and taxes and are heavily regulated. Personal shipments of small quantities may be allowed but commercial imports require specific licenses.

Packaging Tips for International Shipments

Packages traveling to Turkey endure extensive handling through multiple sorting facilities and customs inspection points. Use double-walled corrugated boxes rated for at least 200 pounds per square inch burst strength. Wrap fragile items individually with at least 2 inches of bubble wrap on all sides. Fill all empty spaces with packing peanuts, air pillows, or crumpled kraft paper to prevent movement during transit.

Seal all seams with reinforced packing tape at least 2 inches wide applied in an H-pattern across the top and bottom. For items sensitive to moisture, include silica gel packets inside the package and consider lining the interior with a plastic bag. Label the outside of the package with both the sender and receiver addresses in clear, legible print. Include a duplicate copy of the shipping label and customs documentation inside the package in case the exterior label is damaged.

Avoid using string, twine, or ribbon on international packages as these can get caught in automated sorting equipment. Do not reuse old boxes for international shipments as structural integrity may be compromised.

Tracking and Insurance Options

All major carriers provide end-to-end tracking for shipments to Turkey. USPS tracking works through the USPS system until the package arrives in Turkey, at which point tracking transfers to the PTT system. There can be gaps in tracking updates during customs processing, which typically last 2 to 5 days. UPS, FedEx, and DHL provide more seamless tracking throughout the entire journey, including customs clearance status updates.

For insurance, USPS includes up to $200 of insurance with Priority Mail Express International and offers additional coverage up to $5,000. Priority Mail International includes limited insurance up to $100. UPS and FedEx offer declared value coverage with limits up to $50,000. DHL provides shipment value protection with customizable coverage amounts.

Given Turkey's complex customs environment and the possibility of extended processing times, purchasing adequate insurance is strongly recommended, especially for shipments valued over $200.

How to Save on International Shipping

Using a shipping platform like atoship gives you access to commercial rates that are significantly lower than retail counter prices. Discounts of 40% to 89% off USPS, UPS, and FedEx retail rates are typical for regular shippers. Additional strategies to reduce costs include accurately measuring and weighing packages to avoid dimensional weight surcharges, using flat-rate boxes from USPS when your items are heavy relative to their size, consolidating multiple items into a single shipment rather than sending several small packages, declaring accurate values to avoid penalties but not over-declaring which increases duty liability, and shipping during off-peak periods when carriers may offer promotional rates.

Consider prepaying customs duties and taxes using DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) terms if your carrier offers this option. While you pay more upfront, it prevents the receiver from being surprised by customs charges and reduces the risk of package refusal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping from the US to Turkey take? Transit times range from 3 to 5 business days for express services to 7 to 21 days for economy options. Add 2 to 7 business days for customs clearance processing on the Turkish side.

Do I need to pay customs duties when shipping to Turkey? The receiver in Turkey is typically responsible for paying customs duties, KDV, and any applicable special consumption taxes. The de minimis threshold for postal shipments is 150 euros, below which duties may be waived but KDV still applies.

Can I ship food items to Turkey? Non-perishable, commercially packaged food items can generally be shipped to Turkey for personal use. However, meat products, dairy products, and fresh produce are heavily restricted and typically require import permits and phytosanitary certificates.

What happens if my package is held at Turkish customs? If your package is held, the receiver will be contacted by PTT or the customs brokerage firm to provide additional documentation or pay duties and taxes. Packages held for more than 30 days without clearance may be returned to the sender or destroyed.

Is it cheaper to ship with USPS or a private carrier to Turkey? USPS is generally cheaper for lightweight packages under 4 pounds. For heavier shipments, UPS and FedEx commercial rates through platforms like atoship can be more competitive, especially when factoring in faster transit times and included customs brokerage.

Can I ship electronics to Turkey? Yes, electronics can be shipped to Turkey. They face relatively low customs duties of 0% to 5% but are subject to 20% KDV and may incur Special Consumption Tax depending on the specific product type. Used electronics may require additional documentation.